Meet Our Therapists

Cris Corzine-McCloskeyMSW, LCSW & Agency Director

Bachelor Degree in Psychology from University of Central FL, Master’s in Social Work from SIUC, Cris has been at Caring Counseling Ministries since 2008, with previous experience as a Rape Crisis Counselor, and student of the School of Hard Knocks. She is also a Speaker and Evangelist for Stonecroft Ministries as well as a volunteer Chaplain at Heartland Regional Medical Center.

Cris is not your typical Christian counselor. (Read her story.) She had a rough start in life and came to Christ after years of drug addiction, and was healed from that addiction when she reached out to Christ. She believes that since she was what society would have considered a hopeless case, there is no such thing as hopeless cases if Christ is involved. She is passionate about the gospel of grace, and believes that freedom comes through understanding our identity in Christ and the love of God.

Cris works with individuals, adolescent girls, couples and families. She also has experience working with eating disorders and addictions. She specializes in childhood assault recovery. She believes that God has caused all of her past to work together for the good (Romans 8:28) as it helps her empathize with her clients.

Recently married, she can usually be found in her off duty time enjoying her husband and their pack of unruly shih tzus. (This is also where Molly or Sammie can be found on her off duty time.)

Scripture that best encapsulates her life is Romans 5:20-21 from the Message translation: “Sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.”

Bachelor Degree in Social Work from SIUC, Masters Degree in Human Services Counseling: Crisis Response & Trauma from Liberty University, and member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, Tina has been working in the human services, social work, and counseling field for more than 18 years.

On top of that, she is also a ministry leader at Southern Illinois Worship Center, and has been involved in various ministry endeavors for nearly 17 years. Clearly, this has been one busy lady, and we feel extraordinarily blessed to have her on staff. Tina’s training and experience in trauma-focused therapy and crisis counseling make her ideal for situations such as grief, loss, marital crisis, PTSD, all kinds of assault and abuse and bullying. She has also had experience working with chronic illness and currently also works as a Rape Crisis Counselor for the Women’s Center.

Moving away from all seriousness, Tina is a fun-loving, cheerful and optimistic person who absolutely loves people and enjoys encouraging others to live, laugh and love. She loves life and is enjoys adventure. Tina is also very transparent and not afraid to share her testimony of how God has healed and restored her life after walking through multiple crisis and traumas of her own.

Tina’s motto in life is “keeping it real!” When not working, Tina is busy enjoying her family. She has been married for 20 years and has four beautiful children and a grandchild. Tina lives by the scriptures and enjoys giving “simple inspirations.” She also lives by the scripture Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Jennifer MartinM.S. Ed Psych, LPC

A graduate of SIUC, Jennifer received her bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services and then her master’s in Educational Psychology. She began her career as a guidance counselor and has also worked with Head Start, the Evaluation and Developmental Center, and with elementary and middle school students. She has worked in the areas of developmental disabilities, behavioral disorders and community mental health before coming to CCM as a full time counselor. Her personal and professional experiences have gifted her to work with adults, adolescents, and children.

On a personal note, Jennifer is the mother of a very spirited and beautiful daughter who reminds her daily that God not only blesses us but also supplies our needs. This includes the patience to play multiple games of hide and seek with a child who is not experienced in either hiding or seeking. When not playing with her daughter or spending time with the rest of her family, Jennifer can be found leading Bible Study at CCM. She is passionate about getting to know Jesus personally and helping others do the same.

Jennifer is not ashamed to admit she spent many years of her life in counseling as a client before becoming a counselor. She knows that nothing sustainable can be accomplished without the One who holds all the answers and power to overcome life’s struggles. She stands on the truth that greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4) and that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). Jennifer also holds fast to the promise that God does have good plans for each of us; plans to prosper us and not to harm us but to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). However, she knows that most people need support to walk in these plans. Her goal is to meet people where they are and help them experience the plans God has for them.

Patrick earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology 2004, followed by acquiring his first Master’s degree in 2006, both from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL). He earned his most recent degree, another Masters, from Loyola University Chicago, in 2016. Patrick has extensive experience within the social services field, encompassing diverse roles as a mentor, guide, administrator, research assistant, and mental health professional to individuals from diverse socioeconomic, developmental, and cultural backgrounds. He possesses the proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary professionals in developing and deploying plans customized to meet the individual mental and medical health needs of clients, as well as educating the clients and their families on the processes. He has also assisted clients – some of whom are faced with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder – in the development of life, coping, and social skills and problem-solving techniques. Patrick’s expertise includes the ability to counsel clients with compassion (utilizing methods such as CBT, Client-Centered, Biblical, and Metaframeworks). Concerning his therapy experiences, Patrick has worked with clients from age 7 to 70, but has a special affinity for youth and couples/families.

After finishing at Northwestern, the Lord led him through a wilderness journey! (Yippee for suffering!) God processed pride, doubt, and anxiety out of Patrick and began a long process of growing his faith and trust in the Shepherd & Bishop of our souls. Over the course of this period (2006-2013), Patrick experienced one trial after another, as he would lose his home, job, mental health, and career.

However, through it all, Jesus has proved Himself to be faithful to Patrick. Between 2006 and 2013, God allowed him to marry a beautifully saved young woman and bring 2 great children into the world. Jesus provided for the growing needs of this family. More importantly, Jesus has stamped Patrick’s soul with lessons about humility, submission to Him, faith, wisdom, and love that lifetimes of secular academic pursuits could never replicate. Lastly, Jesus called him into the ministry, and Patrick has taught the Word of God since 2014.

For Patrick, Isaiah 40:4-5; Romans 8:28, and Hebrews 10:35-37 have been especially meaningful. The common theme through these verses is FAITH in God and in His Word, which has brought/is bringing healing, provision, deliverance, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. God is not finished yet with him!

Molly aka Therapy DogMiracle Shih Tzu

There’s no need to fear, Therapy Dog is here! Molly is living proof that no matter how horrific the start, it’s the finish that matters. Found on the mean streets of Carbondale, IL by the dog catcher, she went in to the Humane Shelter half starved, abused, and with a horrific case of PTSD that had her scared of her own shadow. Once she was rescued and loved, she blossomed in to a loving and well-adjusted dog.

She now gives back to the community by giving wags and sympathetic looks to whomever will give her a treat. If the treat is good enough, she will also sit with you while in session and let you stroke her ears. Available by special request or if you have her handler, Cris Corzine-McCloskey for your counselor. She does not accept insurance but is partial to Milk-Bones.

Sammieaka “The Intern”

Ladies and Gentlemen, Caring Counseling is proud to present the cutest member of our staff, Sammie. Sammie is living proof that you don’t have to be the sharpest crayon in the box as long as you are a lovely color. And that’s what Sammie does at Caring Counseling. She brings laughter, color, and personality to the workplace.

We originally had hopes that Sammie would give sympathetic looks and allow herself to be stroked like her pack mate, Molly, but at this point we are just happy if she can find her way back to her office in between clients. We are a grace agency though, so she has found her niche working here. However, until she can find her office consistently she remains on intern status. In the meantime, pray for Sammie. She needs it!